Patriots LB Jerod Mayo possibly out for season with pectoral injury

Patriots LB Jerod Mayo possibly out for season with pectoral injury

Patriots linebacker Jerod Mayo could be lost for the season due to a torn pec. Credit: Getty Images

There is the possibility that Patriots linebacker Jerod Mayo has played his last snap this season.

Multiple reports Tuesday said that Mayo had surgery on a torn pectoral muscle. The recovery timetable for such an injury is anywhere from eight-to-12 weeks. Christmas Day is 10 weeks from Wednesday and the NFL playoffs don't begin until Jan. 4, 2014. If the Patriots are fortunate enough to get one of the top two seeds in the AFC, they wouldn't begin postseason play until Jan. 11 or 12.

If the Patriots believe Mayo could be fully healthy in time for the postseason, they could opt to not place their defensive captain on injured reserve.